Santa Paula Police serve early morning search warrants

Two searches conducted last week were related to the investigation into the stray bullet death of a Santa Paula woman, according to a Santa Paula Police spokesman.

Norma Elizalde was killed March 29 in the carport of her High Street home after a midday altercation between four men in the street turned violent. Shots were fired and a stray bullet entered Elizalde’s home... when it exited the structure the bullet struck Elizalde, who was in the carport behind her residence, in the neck, killing her. Her young son found her and told his uncle who was in front of the home working in the yard at the time the shooting erupted.

The 5 a.m. May 30 warrant searches took place at a residence located in the area of Santa Paula and Sycamore streets; the second search was conducted in the 700 block of Ojai Road.

SPPD SWAT, detectives and officers were involved in the simultaneous actions that included questioning numerous subjects believed to be affiliated with gangs.

SPPD Gang Unit Detective Allen Macias said the warrant searches, “Were the result of an ongoing investigation,” into the death of Elizalde.

One person was arrested: Mark Lugo, 22, was arrested for suspicion of possession of narcotic paraphernalia.

Lugo, said Macias, is a documented gang member.

Although several suspects have been arrested in the case and police continue to ask the public for input.

If anyone has any information they are asked to call Macias at Santa Paula Police Separtment.